How Much Does It Cost to Repair a Ceiling?
You’ll likely need repairs if you’ve recently noticed any unsightly wet spots, cracks, stains, or other signs of damage on your ceiling.
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Ceiling damage may not be easy to spot at first, especially between the roof and ceiling. What you don’t see may seem negligible. However, even concealed damage can lead to severe issues in your home if left untreated. Calling your local home repair contractor when you see any damages is crucial.
Ceiling repairs can range from minor fixes for holes to major renovations that require a ceiling and a roof replacement. The cost depends on a wide range of factors. Continue reading below to learn everything you need to know about the cost of repairing a damaged ceiling.
How Much Do Ceiling Repairs Cost by Square Foot?
Contractors typically price their services based on the square footage of the damaged area. Depending on the material, you can expect to pay anywhere from $50 to $100 per square foot. Some contractors charge an hourly rate, usually around $60 to $80 per hour.
Here’s a pricing guide for different roofing materials per square foot:
Popcorn Ceilings
Popcorn ceilings (also known as acoustic ceilings) are typically polystyrene and contain spray-on paints. This material is prevalent in homes built between 1930 and 1990 and is known for its sound-deadening properties.
The cost to repair popcorn ceilings ranges between $75 and $95 per square foot.
Read more: Removing mold on popcorn ceiling
Traditional Drywall
Half-inch drywall panels are a common material for ceilings along with walls. They are popular for being easy to carry and install. Drywall also delivers excellent room-to-room sound control for large-family homes.
The average cost for traditional drywall ceiling repair is between $45 and $55 per square foot.
Plaster and Lath
Plaster and lath is a technique that uses narrow wooden panels to finish an interior ceiling or wall. Builders nail the boards horizontally along the ceiling joists during installation.
The price to repair plaster and lath ceilings is between $65 and $85.
Lightweight Sheetrock
Lightweight sheetrock (also known as ultralight drywall) is a thin building material roughly 25% thinner than standard drywall. Repairing lightweight sheetrock can cost anywhere from $50 to $60 per square foot.
Read more: Should you replace a wet sheetrock ceiling?
How Much Does It Cost to Fix a Ceiling by the Type of Repair?
The kind of repair you need can influence the project’s overall cost. Here’s a quick breakdown of each common repair type and how much you can expect to pay:
Water Damage
Discovering water damage in your home can be frustrating, especially if it’s on your roof. If you notice water stains, peeling, or cracks on your ceiling, you must contact a local roofing contractor immediately. Otherwise, the damage can start to affect other parts of your home’s structure.
Before repairing a water-damaged roof, ensure the affected area is completely dry. Otherwise, persistent dampness can lead to mold growth. Water-damaged ceilings from leaking roofs, clogged gutters, or burst pipes are frequent causes of mold infestation.
You can also scrape any loose materials with a knife and clean the patch with a wet cloth.
Minor water damage on the roof can cost around $500, whereas major damage can be upwards of $3,000. The faster you take action, the less you’ll need to fork out for repairs.
Leaking Pipe or Roof
No matter the age or size of your home, chances are you’ll encounter a leaking pipe at some point. Pipe leaks are typically the result of faulty plumbing or aged piping. In that case, you’ll need to contact a plumber who can inspect your current plumbing systems before repairing the ceiling.
A roof leak is likely due to broken shingles. The cracks or holes in your shingles allow water to pass through your roof and leak into other areas of your structure. These leaks might start small but can lead to severe issues if not addressed immediately.
Leaking pipe or roof repairs can range between $150 to $500, depending on the severity of the problem.
Sagging Ceiling
Several things can lead to a sagging ceiling, such as termites, water damage, or earthquakes. You can prevent a sagging ceiling by hiring reliable contractors to ensure your ceiling is installed correctly and well-maintained. If it’s too late and you already have a sag, your home needs repairs as soon as possible.
The cost to repair a sagging ceiling can range from $25 to $1,000, depending on the damage.
Cracked Ceiling
While ceiling cracks can look scary, they usually aren’t a sign of severe structural damage. However, you should treat them as soon as possible to avoid further damage to your roof or other parts of your property. Ceiling cracks are typically a result of excess moisture, faulty drywall, or an aging foundation.
The average cost of repairing a cracked ceiling is $300-$1,200.
Ceiling Holes
Finding a hole in your ceiling can be alarming, and sometimes the exact cause is unknown. Rodents and pests are likely to be suspect if the holes are small and you have space above your ceiling. In that case, you’ll need to hire pest control to remove unwanted tenants from your property.
Small holes are usually inexpensive to fix ($50-150). However, larger holes can cost around $400 if left untreated.
Peeling Paint
Peeling paint on the ceiling is typically caused by poor paint application. The paint will peel off faster than usual, whether due to the wrong kind of paint or incorrect technique.
Moisture can also cause paint to peel off your ceiling. Moreover, excess moisture can also lead to mold—which can be harmful to your respiratory system.
The cost to repair peeling paint ranges from $1 to $3 per square foot. If the patch of peeling paint is small, you can fix it for next to nothing.
However, repairing the entire ceiling could add up. Therefore, it’s best to fix what’s causing the paint to peel to avoid future damage.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Does It Cost to Fix a Leaking Ceiling Pipe?
A leaking ceiling pipe is an issue that needs attention right away. You first want to stabilize the area and track down what’s causing the leak.
If it’s a minor issue, you might be able to fix it with basic tools and for a low cost. However, major damages will require help from a contractor and can range between $150 to $500.
While it may seem expensive to hire a professional, it’s usually the best choice. Experienced contractors have the tools and skills to fix the leaking ceiling pipe without causing further damage to your property.
Trying to fix the problem alone could lead to more costly damages. DIY repairs may also result in the nullification of your homeowner’s insurance.
How Much Does It Cost to Remove and Replace a Ceiling?
Removing and replacing a ceiling is usually the last resort solution if the damage is too severe. It might also be viable if your roof is old or you plan on selling your home. The average cost to remove and replace a ceiling is between $1.50 and $3.25 per square foot.
You might be able to negotiate a deal with your local contractor to save a little for your project. That said, try not to go with the cheapest option available. You want to hire someone who knows what they’re doing and will install a roof that protects you and all your valuables.
How Much Does It Cost to Fix a Hole in the Ceiling?
If you have tiny holes caused by pests, you should be able to repair them for between $50 and $100. Holes caused by water damage or other structural issues may be more expensive, ranging between $300 and $400.
The best thing you can do is find out what’s causing the holes and reach out to a reliable roofing contractor for repairs.
How Much Does It Cost To Repair Roof Shingles?
Broken or missing shingles can lead to many problems for your ceiling and other parts of your dwelling. As a result, it’s best to repair or replace damaged shingles whenever you notice them. When choosing new shingles, find a solid material that will last long.
Asphalt shingles are incredibly popular and should last between 20 and 50 years. The national average cost to repair asphalt shingles is between $350 and $1,300, depending on the size of your property.
The price of a roofing job depends on a wide range of factors. For starters, contractors need to measure your roof or the damaged areas. Next, they will need to determine the cost of materials used in the project. Finally, they will tally in their labor costs and give you an estimate.
Can You Paint Over a Water-Damaged Ceiling?
Water stains can be unsightly, so it’s natural to want to paint over them. In short, you can paint over water damage on your ceiling. However, it’s only applicable if you’re dealing with minor water damage. If the roof is sagging or looks weakened, you might need to conduct more thorough repairs.
In that case, it’s wise to speak with a licensed contractor to see what repairs are necessary before you repaint.
Before you paint over the water damage, make sure the area is dry. You should also check for signs of mold or mildew before giving your ceiling a new paint job.
Conclusion
Dealing with ceiling damage can be stressful and expensive. However, it’s usually always the best idea to pay for repairs so you can avoid costly damages in the future.
Do you have ceiling damage due to roofing problems, burst pipes, an unstable foundation, or more? Call All Dry USA. As mold, water, and fire damage remediation experts, we’ve helped countless homeowners nationwide with ceiling repairs and other services. Call us to keep your home standing strong.
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With Ben’s knowledge, and visionary leadership, All Dry USA has expanded into a national, full-service property damage restoration company with multiple locations across the United States. Ben holds numerous specialty licenses and certifications in restoration and construction.
